Billed as a “time-manipulation action & puzzle side-scrolling platformer featuring world exploration and RPG elements,” AeternoBlade II seems to borrow heavily from games in the Castlevania franchise, both with regards to its mechanics and its art style. However, it does bring several new features to the table. The double-jump is a little played out at this point, so I’m excited about the “grapple” mechanic that is featured in the trailer below. “Time-manipulation” also sounds interesting, and I’m sure it will afford some creative solutions to difficult puzzles.

From the trailer you can also see that this game has some 3D sections. Bloodstained flirted with 3D perspective occasionally, but those in AeternoBlade II look a bit more involved. I’m actually reminded of Nier: Automata and the way that game effortlessly switched between 2D and 3D perspectives. AeternoBlade II may not be as good as Nier, but incorporating some 3D platforming here and there might be a neat touch.

There are three unique playable characters in AeternoBlade II. Freyja uses a sword in combat, Bernard a halberd, and Felix a whip blade. Each character has unique attacks and abilities, and it seems like you will have to use all of them in order to solve the game’s puzzles.

Yet another game I’m reminded of is Bloody Spell. Bloody Spell has received a lot of attention lately for being a janky-but-fun Dark Souls. AeternoBlade II looks like it might be a janky-but-fun Castlevania. Maybe it’ll be even better. You’ll be able to try it out and decide for yourself soon enough.

AeternoBlade II releases for PS4, Switch, and Xbox One on October 11, 2019.